Masters and PhD Study in Ghana: Admission, Costs and Funding

How admission works

Postgraduate admission runs through each university's graduate school or school of graduate studies rather than a central body. You apply directly to the university and programme you want, uploading transcripts, your first degree certificate, a personal statement, and reference letters. Most masters programmes ask for a first degree in a related field with at least a Second Class Lower classification, though competitive or research-heavy programmes sometimes require Second Class Upper or better.

Professional masters programmes in fields such as an MBA, public health, or education often accept relevant work experience alongside your degree classification, while research-based masters and MPhil programmes weigh your undergraduate research experience and reference letters more heavily.

PhD admission and the role of a supervisor

A PhD application in Ghana centres on your research proposal as much as your academic record. Universities expect you to identify a research area, write a proposal outlining your question and methodology, and in many departments, secure a supervisor within that department willing to guide the work before your application is considered complete. Contact potential supervisors directly, referencing their published research, well before you submit a formal application.

Entry normally requires a masters degree in a related field, though some universities admit strong Second Class Upper graduates directly into a PhD track through an initial research year.

Programme length

Coursework-based masters programmes typically run 1-2 years full time, with part-time and weekend options taking longer. Research-based masters (MPhil) programmes run 2 years or more, since they involve an independent research project and thesis defence in addition to coursework. PhD programmes commonly run 3-5 years, though completion time varies by field, funding availability, and how much of the work happens alongside a job.

Funding your postgraduate study

GETFund's Local Scholarship Programme is the main state-backed funding route, covering undergraduate, masters, and PhD study at public tertiary institutions. You apply through the GETFund portal , select the correct category for masters or PhD study, within the programme's yearly application window, the 2025/26 cycle closed 20 February 2026 per the GETFund scholarship page .

Beyond GETFund, look for:

• Graduate teaching or research assistantships within your department, which reduce or waive fees in exchange for teaching or lab support.

• University-specific postgraduate bursaries, listed on each graduate school's financial aid page.

• Research grants tied to a specific supervisor's funded project, common in science, engineering, and agriculture departments with external grant funding.

• Employer sponsorship, common for professional masters degrees such as an MBA or public health masters, where your employer covers fees in exchange for a return-to-work commitment.

Choosing where to study

Match your programme to a university's known research strength rather than only its general reputation. KNUST leads in engineering, science, and technology fields. University of Ghana carries the broadest range of postgraduate programmes across social sciences, humanities, and business. University of Cape Coast is strong in education and the sciences. Departmental strength matters more than institutional ranking once you reach postgraduate level, review recent faculty publications and past thesis topics in your specific field before you apply.